Machine for applying labels and the like



Oct. 8, 1940. G. w. VON HOFE 2,217,325

MACHINE FOR APPLYING LABELS AND THE LIKE Filed March 26, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l 32 d INVENTOR.

GEO/e65 14 l o/v /%F ATTORNEYS Oct. 8, 1940. G. w. VON HOFE MACHINE FOR APPLYING LABELS AND THE LIKE Filed March 26, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Qm QR NQ A J Evin? IL. LIIIIIII Rm my W K 6 R w wk 6 m ATTORNEY5 Oct. 8, 1940. G. w. VON HOFE MACHINE FOR APPLYING LABELS AND THE LIKE Filed March 26, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VENTOR. GEORGE Vl vo/v Hort:

h. WY

ATTORNEY5.

Patented Oct. 8, 1940 t UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR APPTIIE KIIEG LABELS AND THE George W. von Hofe, Bound Brook, N. J., assignor to New Jersey Machine Corporation, Hoboken, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application March 26, 1938, Serial No. 198,187

18 Claims. (01. 216-38) The invention relates to machines for applythe illustrated example, rests upon the upper. lug labels and the like, and more particularly end portion of the frame III for rotation with to adhesive coated labels, to the articles or elesaid shaft II as will appear more fully hereinments for which the labels and the like are -deafter. The sleeve l2 carries and preferablysigned and has for its object to provide improved comprises an integral part of a horizontal table mechanism whereby the labels and the like, sub- I3 constituting the movable support and adapted sequent to the application of adhesive thereto, to be intermittently rotated in a horizontal plane are supported in a novel manner to facilitate the for transporting the articles to be labeled over application of said labels to predetermined arsaid predetermined path and provided with a ticles or elements. The invention contemplates predetermined number of seats I5 located, for in- 10 further the provision of simplified means for efstance, at 90 intervals in a circle on said table ficiently applying labels and the like having in- I3. herent characteristics, with respect to dimen- In the operation of the specific form of the sions, shape and the like, which increase the difmachine shown in Fig. 1 and selected for pur- 16 ficulty of their application. In addition, the inposes of descrip the Shaft H and With it the 16 vention has for its purpose the provision of novel table I3 is rotated intermittently in steps, each means for simplifying the application of labels of which rotatively advances the table I3 through and the like to articles or elements which, be- 90, so as to shift the seats I5 over said predecause of their shape 01' dimensions or both, or berm n p h iv y to the v us s a- 2 cause of the predetermined position of th lations, of Which there are four in the illustrated o bels and the like thereon, complicate the applymachine; each Of said stations, in the illustrated ing operations. Other more specific objects will example, are located in associated relation to the appear from the description hereinafter and the predetermined P at these points at which t features of novelty will be pointed out in the table I3 temporarily comes to rest at the end of claims. each 90 operation thereof. The first of the 25 The instant application is a continuation-inafore stations may be termed h f part of another application fil d by m in th station indicated at A, the second the label de- United States Patent Oflice on July 15, 1936, Sepositing st th t d he w app r aprial No. 90,921, and issued on May 31, 1933 as plying station C, the fourth station, which is not United States Patent No. 2,119,371. illustrated, may in practice be located, for in- 30 In the accompanying drawings, wh h 111 stance, at a point diametrically opposite the statrate examples of the invention without defintion 1 and y constitute an ejectin t o ing its limits, Fig, 1 is a, sectional l vati part, at which the labeled articles are removed from l diagrammatic of one form f th novel the machine, or at which certain final steps to chine; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail view of the p y the labels to the articles y be p e 35 novel arrangement; Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmen- It will be understood that the various station tary detail views illustrating other forms of the designa i n are used merely f p rp of d label applying means; Fig. 5 is an elevation of scription a t y accordingly ay va y in another form of the label applying means; Fig. accordance with the different operative steps per- 6 is a plan view thereof; Fig. 7 is a sectional eleformed thereat, or at equivalent stations, in other 40 vation of associated label applying means, and. specific types of the novel machine. v Fig. 8 is a plan view thereof. Any suitable mechanism may be provided for The machine includes a support for the artieffecting the intermittent rotation of the table cles to be labeled, preferably movable in inter- I3 in the desired manner. For instance, as shown mittent steps to transport said articles over a in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the shaft II at an inpredetermined path at different points of which termediate point may be provided with a gear the labeling operations and associated steps are wheel I'l fixed upon said shaft II in any suitable performed; in the selected example, which is manner to rotate therewith, it being understood diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 1, the mathat the illustrated support or pedestal II) is chine comprises a supporting frame or pedestal constructed to, accommodate said gear wheel I! 5 ID of suitable type and dimensions in which an and its associated mechanism as indicated at I8. upright shaft II is journalled in any conventional The gear wheel I1 is arranged in mesh with a manner. The shaft II projects upwardly berack I9 mounted for horizontal reciprocation in yond the frame I0 and is in keyed or equivalent a suitable guide 20 fixed upon the support Ill in connection with a bearing sleeve I2 which, in any convenient manner; it is to be understood 55 In other words, the arrangement is such that each operation of the table I3 is followed by a period of rest during which the operative steps at the various stations A, B, C etc. may be effected. For the purpose of illustrating the mechanism whereby the rack I9 is reciprocated, said rack I9 is provided with a rod 2| projecting from one end thereof and carrying a roller 22 in rolling engagement with a cam 23 fixed upon a driving shaft 24 iournalled in conventional bearingsupon an upright frame 25; any customary means may be provided for maintaining the roller 22 in operative engagement with the cam 23. The latter may be driven as illustrated by means of a pulley 26 mounted upon the shaft 24 and a belt 21 connected with any selected form of driving mechanism such as a motor or the like.

In the novel machine in all of its forms, successive labels are carried by a transferring means, preferably first into adhesive receiving relation with an adhesive applying means, and subsequently to the application of the adhesive are delivered by said transferring means to a label supporting means with which the machine is provided; the label supporting means supports a label in applying relation to the article-for which it is designed or to put it more specifically, means is included in the machine for detachably supporting at least one end and preferably both ends of a previously gummed label, while the latter is in position for application to said article. The

machine in question is designed specially for applying labels provided on one surface with a coating of adhesive either as indicated above or in any other well-known way;

In the example of the machine now being described, the previously mentioned label supporting means is illustrated in the form of upright posts 28 located upon opposite sides of each seat IS in spaced relation thereto, or in other words, in operative position upon opposite sides of the article to be labeled, at distances dependent upon the dimensions of the articles and labels for which the machine is primarily designed. At their upper ends the upright posts 28 are provided with supporting members 3|, the upper surfaces of which preferably are located at a common level predetermined for instance with respect to the article to which the labels are to be applied. The form under discussion further includes applying or wrapping means whereby the label is applied to or wrapped about the article, said wrapping means being located at a station corresponding to the station C of Fig. 1, or being otherwise disposed in dependence upon the type of machine in which said wrapping means is incorporated. In the illustrated example the wrapping means comprises levers 32 provided with brushes 33. It will be understoodthat any suitable mechanism operating in properly timed relation to the other parts of the machine may be provided for vertically operating the levers 32 and brushes 33 for the purpose to be more fully set forth hereinafter. In addition, a pressure member 38 is mounted upon ,a mass which itself is slidably mounted and guided in its vertical movement in any convenient manner. In the preferred form the machine as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2 may be provided with means for heating the supporting members 3! for the purpose of maintaining the adhesive coating of the labels in a tacky condition whereby the manipulation and application thereof is facilitated. Such heating means may be of any suitable character and as indicated at 43 is of an electrically operated type. The machine furtherincludes any conventional means for bringing successive labels into the applying position at the applying station B, which means may comprise the previously mentioned transferringmeans; in such case the latter may operate to carry the labels into adhesive receiving relation with an adhesive applying means, and subsequently to the application of the adhesive, to deliver the gummed labels to the secondary supporting means referred to above. Generally, such transferring means may consist of or include a suitably actuated suction controlled transfer head 44 arranged to remove the terminal label from a stack or other supply of labels and to pass said label over an adhesive applying roll in any well-known way, for instance in tangential contact therewith, whereby a coating of adhesive or its equivalent is applied to said label, and to then carry the adhesive coated or gummed label to the depositing or delivery position at station B. As the mechanism for transferring individual labels'successively from a supply thereof to the adhesive applying means and subsequently to the applying position at station B per se forms no part of the instant invention and as the mechanism in question may be of any conventional type, it has not been deemed necessary to illustrate the same in detail.

In practice the table l3 may be intermittently operated by means of the cam 23, the rack [9, the gear I! and associated elements to intermittently rotate the shaft H in successive quarter turns about its axis to bring the seats i5 to the successive stations corresponding to the stations A, B, C, etc. In such case, the article 45, illustrated as of cylindrical form, is placed in position on a seat i5 at the station A and is then carried to the depositing station B, it being understood that when this transfer takes place the levers 32 and associated elements will occupy a raised position at station C so as not to interfere with the described movements of the table l3. When the article 45 reaches the depositing station B, a label a is carried by suitable prime supporting means, for instance, such as the transfer head 44 hereinbefore referred to, into adhesive receiving relation with an adhesive applying means as exemplified by the previously mentioned adhesive roll, and subsequently to the application of the adhesive is transferred by said prime supporting means to a position in which the opposite ends of said gummed label a. are deposited upon and adhesively attached to the upper surfaces of the carrying members 3| with an intermediate portion of the label a for instance though not necessarily, in, tangential contact with the surface of the article 45. Because of the tacky condition of adhesive coating at this stage, the label a at its opposite ends will adhere lightly to the carrying members 3! in temporary adhesive connection therewith and accordingly will be held in position thereby for application to the article, the latter in the illustrated example co-operating with said supporting members 3| in thus supporting said label a. When the aforesaid operation of positioning a label a has been completed, the table I3 will be actuated to bring the article 45 with the label a in applying relation thereto, to

the wrapping stationC. At this stage and in II;

proper operative 'synchronism with the other parts of the machine, the pressure member 38 will be moved downwardly into initial contact with the label a at the point of registry thereof with the article 45 to thereby press said label a into firm adhesive engagement with said article at this point and to maintain said label a against displacement thereon, as will be apparent. At the same time the levers 32 will be given a downward movement to cause the rollers 33 to engage the label a on opposite sides of the pressure member 38 and to withdraw the opposite ends of said label from the carrying members 3|; in the continuing downward movement of the parts the brushes 33 will follow the outer shape of the article 45, which in the illustration is cylindrical, and accordingly will wrap the label a about said article 45 or in other words, apply said label thereto as indicated in Fig. 2. During these operative steps the brushes 33 will develop a pressure upon the label a to cause it to firmly adhere to the article 45 and to effect an efiicient application of said label a to said article 45. In some instances the label a may be adhesively deposited upon the carrying members 3| and applied to the article 45 in operative succession at a given station instead of having these successive operative steps carried out at different stations.

The form of the applying means illustrated in the fragmentary manner in Fig. 3 is designed especially for applying labels as exemplified for instance, by revenue stamps to the heads of bottles or the like. The machine under discussion accordingly also includes label supporting means for supporting a previously gummed label in position for application to an article, which supporting means, as illustrated, includes supporting members 3| corresponding to the carrying members 3| and similarly mounted upon a movable support whereby the articles to be labeled are transported, for instance in intermittent steps, over a predetermined path, such as the table I3. In addition suitable provision may be made upon the movable support for supporting the article 45 in position between the carrying members 3|. The machine furthermore also includes label transfer means, for instance, such as the previously mentioned transfer head 44, for similarly carrying a label into adhesive receiving relation with adhesive applying means and subsequently depositing the adhesive coated label upon the label supporting means in applying relation to an article and with the opposite ends of said label in temporary adhesive contact with the supporting members 3|. The machine is also provided with applying or wrapping means illustrated in the form of levers 32 which may correspond in construction and operation to the levers 32 and carry at their free ends wrapping devices shown in the form of brushes 33 pivotally secured at 33 to the levers 32; it will be understood that the aforesaid wrapping means may, as in the previous forms, be located at a wrapping station C. I

As the article 45 is brought to the label depositing station corresponding to the station E, a label a is brought by the label transfer means, such as the transfer head 44, into position for deposit upon the label supporting means and for application to the article, with the opposite ends of said label a in adhesive temporary connection with the supporting members 3|; in the preferred arrangement an intermediate portion of said label a at this stage rests upon the article 45. In such case the latter thus covoperates with the supporting members 3| in supporting the label a in applying position. After the label a has been placed in position as described, the movable support corresponding for instance to thetable I3, is rotatively actuated or otherwise manipulated to bring the article 45 with the label a in the applying position previously mentioned, to the wrapping or applying station corresponding to the station C of Fig. 1. The levers 32' are then moved downwardly into contact with the label a which, as the downward movement of the levers 32 continues, is withdrawn from the carrying members 3| and wrapped upon or applied to the article 45 as will be apparent. It will be understood that the levers 32 are preferably under the influence of springs, so that the brushes 33 develop a yielding pressure upon the label a as it is being applied to the article 45; it will similarly be obvious, because of the pivotal connection of the brushes 33 with the levers 32 that said brushes will automatically accommodate themselves to the progressive wrapping or applying operation and to the surface contour of the article 45 to which the label a is being applied. In Fig. 4 the machine is diagrammatically illustrated in a form designed specially for applying labels to or wrapping labels upon articles of triangular, rectangular or polygonal form; for purposes of description an article 45 of triangular shape in cross-section has been selected. The form of the machine under discussion may be of the same general type and operate in the same general manner as those previously described herein, and embodies a label transfer means, such as for instance, the transfer head 44, for carrying a label into adhesive receiving relation with an adhesive applying means, and subsequently depositing the adhesive coated label in applying relation to the article for which it is intended. The form of machine being described may further include a table I3 similar to the previously mentioned table I3, and also provided with label supporting means for receiving the gummed labels from the label transfer means and supporting said labels in position for application to the articles for which said labels are designed; as illustrated, the aforesaid label supporting means comprises upright posts 28 located upon the upper surfaces of said table l3 in spaced parallel relation to each other as shown; the upright posts 28* at their upper ends are provided with supporting members 3| adapted, as in the forms shown in Figs. 2 and 3, to support the label a in wrapping or applying position. The table l3 further includes seats l5 arranged upon opposite sides of an opening |3 with which the table I3 is provided as illustrated in Fig. 4; the seats l5 are arranged to support the article 45 over the opening |3 so as to extend across the same for the purpose to be more fully set forth hereinafter. In the form now being described, the seats l5 are closer to one of the carrying members. 3| of a given pair than to the other one of the carrying members of said pair, as indicated in Fig. 4. The machine illustrated in Fig. 4 further includes wrapping or applying means located, for instance at a station C, for applying or wrapping the label to or upon the specific articles; in its illustrated form this wrapping means consists of levers 32 corresponding to the levers 32 of Fig. 2 and mounted and operated in the same .or an equivalent manner to secure the desired results. At their free ends, the levers 32 are provided with wrapping members illustrated in the form of brushes 33 which may be fixed upon said levers 32, or otherwise supported thereon as may be found necessary in any given machine. In addition the machine of Fig. 4 includes an additional lever 32* provided at its free end with a wrapping member shown also in the form of a brush 33 pivotally connected with the lever 32 at 33; the lever 32 is operated in any convenient manner to reciprocate the brush 33 lengthwise of the opening l3 of the table I 3'.

In practice after the article 45 has been placed in position upon the seats l at a feeding station corresponding to the station A of Fig. 1, the table l3 may be rotatively actuated to bring the article to the delivery or depositing station such as the station B in Fig. 1. At this point the label is carried by a label transfer means for instance into adhesive receiving relation with an adhesive applying means, and the adhesively coated label a. is then carried by the label transfer means such as hereinbefore described into position for deposit upon the label supporting means whereby said label a is held in position for application to the article 45'; in this position the label= a has its opposite ends in temporary adhesive connection with the carrying members 3! and at an intermediate point nearer its one end may be in contact with the outer surface of the article 45 as shown in Fig. 4. The article 45*, as here shown may thus also cooperate with the supporting members 3| in supporting the label a in position for application to said article 45 When the label a. has been placed in applying position at the station B, the table l3 is again actuated to shift the article 45 and the label a in the applying position to the wrapping or applying station corresponding for instance,'to the station C of Fig. 1. When this has been done, the levers 32 are moved downwardly by suitable means to bring the brushes 33 into contact with the label a which, as the downward movement of the levers 32 continues, is withdrawn from the carrying members 3| and applied to the two diverging outer surfaces of the article 45*. Atthe completion of this step the label a will be adhesively connected with the two aforesaid surfaces of the article 45 and will project downwardly beyond one of said surfaces as indicated by solid lines in Fig. 4; this is due to the fact that the article 45 is located nearer to the one carrying member 3| than to the other, or in other words, is closer to one end of the label a than to the other. As the next step in the wrapping or applying operation the lever 32 is operated in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 4 to cause the brush 33 to bring the depending portion of the label a into adhesive contact with the lower surface of the article 45*; the aforesaid depending portion of said label a will thereby be adhesively connected with said lower surface of the article 45 and accordingly will complete the application of the label to such article. It will be understood that the machine may be adapted for applying labels to articles of restangular or polygonal form in a corresponding manner by arranging the applying mechanism accordingly.

In Figs. 5 and 6 is illustrated another form of mechanism for applying the labels to the articles for which they are designed, and which may be substituted for the means shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and at the same time illustrates in detail an example of the means whereby the brushes 33 of Fig. 3 and the brushes 33 of Fig. 4

may be operatively actuated. The mechanism or means disclosed in Figs. 5 and 6 furthermore is capable of being utilized in other ways, as shown by way of example in the two figures hereinbefore referred to. For purposes of simplicity the mechanism or means under discussion will be described, as to construction and operation, with respect to the specific arrangement illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6; it is to be understood that this is not to be construed as 'labels a being caused to adhere to the base and two sides 01' the triangular body as indicated in Fig. 6. The bottles 45 are carried for instance in an upright position, upon a movable support |3, which may be an endless conveyor having its one run supported upon a 1 supporting rail l3 arranged to accoodate portions of the advancing means; in y case, the movable support I3 is operated periodically in any conventional manner to intermittently transport said bottles 45 over a predetermined path which extends in associated relation to a plurality of stations, for instance, as exemplifled by the stations A, B, C, etc. of Fig. 1. It will be understood, in such event, that the several stations or their equivalents are located at points corresponding to those at which the movable support I3 is temporarily at rest subsequent to each intermittent advance thereof.

Thus the applying mechanism or means illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 may for instance be located at an applying station corresponding to the label applying station 0 of Fig. 1. Suitable provision is made to maintain the bottles in an upright position on the movable support |3 and suitable means operating in properly timed synchronism with the label applying means is provided at the label applying station as shown for instance in my United States Patent No. 2,153,355 of April 4,1939, to prevent displacement of the bottles 45 on the support l3 during the application of the labels a at said applying station.

In the selected example, the mechanism or means under discussion comprises a supporting base 46 of suitable form and dimensions, provided with spaced upright guide brackets 41 for slidably accommodating a main slide member 48. The latter at its one end carries a pressure member or plate 49 preferably removably fastened in place, for instance, by means of a cap screw 50 as shown in Fig. 6; in the preferred arrangement the pressure plate 49 is faced with a cushion 5|, the active surface of which is shaped to correspond to the contour of the surface against which the label a is to be pressed by the pressure member 49 as will appear more 'fully hereinafter.

Any convenient means may be provided for operating the main slide member 48 and its associated elements in propely timed synchronism with the rest of the mechanism. For example, as shown, an operating rod 52 may have its one end formed at 53 and pivotally connected at 54 with a lug 55 projecting upwardly from said slide member 48. At its other end the rod 52 is slidably connected with a swivel 56 pivotally mounted in the forked end 51 of a rocking operating lever 58 operated and controlled in properly timed synchronism with the other mechanism in any suitable manner to provide the desired results. To yieldingly control the connection between the rod 52 and the lever 58 as may be necessary in the operation of the parts, the rod 52 may carry a coil spring 59 having its one end in engagement with the swivel 56 and its other end in contact with a collar 68 fixed upon the rod 52; the latter may be threaded for the accommodation of a plurality of nuts 6| whereby the tension of the spring 59 may be selectively adjusted at will. In order to arrest the movements of the main slide member 48 in one direction and thereby correspondingly control the pressure member 49, the slide member 48 may be provided with a stop, preferably in the form of a screw 62 adjustably mounted in a lug 63 projecting from the member 49, said screw 62 being arranged to engage the one guide bracket 41 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

For the purpose to be more fully set forth hereinafter, the main slide member 48 carries a roller 64 mounted to rotate about an axis perpendicular to said member 48 as shown. The one guide bracket 41 is formed with two spaced lugs 65 having studs 66 on which cam members 61 are pivotally mounted; a bridge 68 and nuts 69 serve to maintain said cam members 61 on said studs 66 without interfering with the pivotal movements thereof. The cam members 61 include opposed inner cam surfaces 10 with which the previously mentioned roller 64 cooperates in a manner and for the purpose to be more clearly explained hereinafter.

The mechanism under discussion further includes a secondary slide member H slidably mounted in the guide brackets 41 in spaced parallel relation to the main slide member 48; in the specific arrangement illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 the secondary slide member II is beneath the main slide member 48. A supporting bracket 12 is fastened to the lower face of the secondary slide member II for instance by means of a screw 13, and carries arms 14 which project from said bracket 12 in a given direction in spaced relation to the slide member 'Il upon opposite sides thereof as illustrated in Fig. 6. i

The arms 14 of the bracket 12 serve to support the label applying members and in the arrangement shown terminate at their free ends in hubs 15 in which pivot studs 16 are mounted and fastened in place in any convenient manner as by means of nuts 11. The label applying members, in the illustrated example, comprise levers 32 corresponding to the levers 32, 32 and 32 of the forms shown respectively in Figs. 2,

3. and 4, and pivotally connected with the studs 16; to properly position the levers 32 relatively to the associated elements, said levers 32 may be provided with sleeves l8 resting upon the hubs 15 as illustrated in Fig. 5. The levers 32 are maintained against axial displacement on 'the studs 16 without interference with the pivotal movements of said levers in any suitable manner, as by means of abridge I9 fixed in place on said studs 16 by nuts 88 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. At their free ends the levers 32 carry label applying devices which, in the specific example, are shown in the form of brushes 33 seated in recesses 8| and preferably removably fastened in place as by means of bolts 82 or the like. It will be understood that the brushes 33 may be replaced by other types of label applying devices as for instance rollers such as the rollers 33 of Figs. 1 and 2. I

At intermediate points the levers 32 carry rollers 83 located in rolling contact .with outer cam surfaces 84 with which the cam members 61 are provided as shown in Fig. 6. In the preferred arrangement the rollers 83 are adjustable relatively to the levers 32 in directions transversely thereof, and in the illustrated example accordingly are journalled on bearing blocks 85 slidable between guide ribs 86 or the like formed on a given surface of each of said levers 32 as illustrated, for instance, in Fig. 5. Any suitable means may be provided for fixing the blocks 85 and rollers 83 in adjusted positions; as shown by way of example, the blocks 85 may carry screwthreaded studs 8'! projecting through slots 88 with which the levers 32e are provided, and accommodating nuts 89 whereby said blocks 85 are secured against relative movement. The rollers 83 are yieldingly held in engagement with the outer cam surfaces 84 of the cam members 61 in any conventional manner, as by means of a coil spring 99 having its opposite ends attached to lugs 9| projecting toward each other from the respective levers 32 the spring 90 or its equivalent serves also to yieldingly pull the brushes 33 or equivalent applying device inwardly toward each other for the purpose to be more fully described hereinafter.

Any suitable operating means may be provided for operating the secondary slide 11 and its associated elements in properly timed synchronism with the cooperating parts of the machine. In the illustratedexample the operating means includes a rocking lever 92 controlled and operated, for instance, by a suitable cam (not shown), and having its one end pivotally connected at 93 with the forked end of an operating rod 94 which is slidable in a swivel-head 95 pivotally fastened at 96 in a forked projection 91 projecting from the supporting bracket 12 as shown in Fig. 5. A coil spring 98 is mounted on the rod 94 with its one end in contact with the swivel-head 95 and its other end in engagement with a nut 99 threaded upon the free end of the rod 94 and fixed in place by a lock-nut I98. With this arrangement the connection between the rod 94 and swivel-head 95 is capable of yielding when necessary; the tension of the spring 98 to vary the yielding resistance thereof may be selectively varied by adjusting the nuts 99 and I09 on the rod 94 as will be apparent. For the purpose of arresting the movement of the secondary slide member H in one direction, said member may carry a stop IOI arranged to engage a preferably adjustable stop I02 projecting from the one guide bracket 41 as illustrated in Fig. 5.

Inasmuch as the specific means whereby the operating levers 58 and 92 are controlled and operated per se forms no part of the invention, it has been deemed unnecessary to illustrate the same, as the desired operative results obviously may be secured in any conventional manner, as by means of suitable cams actuated in any wellknown way. In the operation of the illustrated mechanism, the levers 52 and 92 are merely rocked to reciprocate the main and secondary slide members 48 and II respectively in properly timed operative synchronism to cause the elements associated with the respective slide members 48 and II to function in the desired manner.

In practice the movable support i3 is intermittently operated to advance said support i3 in successive steps over a predetermined path extending iii-associated relation to different stations corresponding for instance to the stations A, B, C, etc. of Fig. 1. A bottle or equivalent article to be labeled may accordingly be placed in position upon the support l3 during a rest period in which the latter is stationary, for instance at a feeding station such as the stationgA. During the next subsequent advance of the support l3 the bottle 45 is carried to the next station such as for instance the label depositing station B of Fig. l and comes to rest thereat. At this last named station a previously gummed label a is deposited, for instance, in the manner previously described herein upon carrying members 3l so as to be supported thereby in applying relation to the bottle 45 or its equivalent; at this stage, the label a at an intermediate point may be in contact with the bottle 45 or other article as shown in Fig. 6, although this is not essential.

When the operations at the depositing station.

such as the station B, have been completed, the support l3 is again advanced to carry the bottle 45 or other article with the label a in applying relation thereto, to the next station, which may correspond for instance to the applying or wrapping station C of Fig. 1. At this applying station, such as C, the mechanism shown in Figs. 5 and 6 may, as previously stated, be located; during the rest period at said applying station, the mechanism illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 will operate in the following manner to apply the label a to the bottle 45 or its equivalent.

As the initial step the operating lever- 58 is actuated to shift the main slide member 48 to the left in Figs. 5 and 6 to thereby correspondingly move the pressure member 48 toward the bottle 45 until the cushion 5| thereof engages the surface thereof. When this occurs the label a will be adhesively applied and pressed against the bottle surface, and as the pressure member 49 remains temporarily in the aforesaid engagement with said bottle 45, the'label a will be securely held in position thereon. As the main slide member 48 is movedin the indicated manner toward the left in Fig. 6, the roller 64 will be correspondingly shifted along the inner cam surfaces Ill of the cam members 61. Because of the contour of said cam surfaces 18, the cam members 61 will be relieved from the restraining action of said roller 54 as the latter moves with the slide member 48 toward the left in Fig. 6.

As these operations take place the cam mem-' bars 61 will be pivotally actuated inwardly toward each other under the influence of the spring 90 transmitted through the rollers 83 to the levers 32. the action of the spring 90, will follow this inward movement of the cam members 61, and thereby will correspondingly adjust the brushes 33 or their equivalent inwardly to label applying positions. When this operative stage has been reached, the operating lever 92 will be actuated to slidably shift the secondary slide ll toward the left in Figs. 5 and 6, and thereby correspondingly move the bracket 12 and arms 14 in a directiontoward the bottle 45. As these operative steps take place, the levers 32 will be carried along in the same direction, and the rollers 83 will traverse the outer cam surfaces 84 of the cam members 61, so that the brushes 33 or their equivalent will engage the label a at points between the bottle 45 and the carry- At the same time the latter, by

ing members 31. Continuifig the movement in the indicated direction, the brushes 83 will develop a pressure upon the label-a and thereby withdraw the opposite ends thereof from the carrying members 3l and then fold the opposite end portions of said label a into contact with the two converging surfaces of the specific bottle 45 shown in Fig.6. The brushes 33 will continue to travel in the manner described and will follow the surface contour of the bottle 45 or other article as shown by dotted lines inFlg. 6, with an even pressure thereon under the infiuence of the spring 98, the rollers 83 meantime following the outer cam surfaces 84 of the cam members 61. The aforesaid end portions of the label a will thereby be brushed on or applied to said two converging surfaces of said bottle 45, or in a corresponding manner to other types of articles.

When the application of the label a to the bottle 45 or its equivalent has been completed, the main slide member is shifted to the right in Figs. 5 and 6, to thereby correspondingly move the pressure member 49 away from the bottle 45 or other article. The roller 64 will move with the main slide member 48 toward the right and by acting on the inner cam surfaces of the cam members 61 will force the latter apart or, in other words, in directions away from each other. This outward movement of the cam members 81 will be communicated to the rollers 83 and by the latter will be transmitted to the levers 32 which accordingly will likewise be pivotally shifted in directions away from each other; as a result of this, the brushes 33 will be moved to inoperative positions outwardly beyond the bottle 45c or its equivalent. At this stage, the secondary slide member 1| is shifted to the right with its associated elements to thereby restore the brushes 33 to the normal position illustrated by solid lines in Fig. 6 after which the operations of the mechanism described above are repeated at the proper time in the succeeding operative cycle.

In some instances the aforesaid operations may complete the application of the label a to the bottle or other article 45, in which case the labeled article is carried away from the station at which the mechanism of Figs. 5 and 6 is 10-- cated, by the next advance of the support l3 and removed from the latter either manually by an operator or automatically by suitable mechanical means.

In. other instances the application of the label a by the mechanism described above may be followed by a subsequent operation at another station whereby the label a is subjected to the action, for instance, of pressure elements to firmly and uniformly press the label d 'in place and thereby complete the application thereof.

An example of means whereby such pressure elements are controlled and operated is shown in Figs. '7 and 8 which accordingly may illustrate a pressure station located in associate relation to the predetermined path over which the bottles or equivalent articles 45 are transported by the movable support 13.

Itwillbe' path at a point thereof beyond the previously mentioned applying station C. v

In the. specific arrangement shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the mechanism is mounted on a supporting base 46* having a slot or opening I03 for the purpose to be more fully set forth hereinafter, and provided with spaced bosses I04 on which a stationary guide rail I05 is fastened in any suitable manner as by means of bolts I06. One of the latter, as illustrated, screws into one reduced end portion of the rail I05, while the other may pass through the other reduced end portion thereof into screwthreaded engagement with a slide bracket I01, as shown at the right in Fig. 7. A carriage I08 of suitable type and dimensions is slidably mounted on the rail I05 for reciprocation thereon by conventional means operating in predetermined time synchronism with the associated elements. To exemplify the manner in which said reciprocation may be effected, the carriage I 08 maybe provided with a lug I09 projecting through and movable lengthwise of the slot or opening I03 of the base 46", and carrying a swivel-head IIO pivotally connected with said lug I06 at II. An operating rod II2 projects through said swivel-head IIO so as to be slidable therein, and is threaded at its free end for the accommodation of an abutment nut H3 and a lock nut II4. A coil spring H5 is carried by said rod II2 with its one end in engagement with the abutment nut H3 and its other end in contact with one side of the swivel-head IIO, to provide a resilient yielding connection between the latter and said rod II2; a stop nut- I I6 or its equivalent is carried by the rod II2 for engagement with the other side of said swivel-head IIO to arrest the sliding movement of said rod II2 under the influence of the spring II5. At the end opposite to its free end the rod H2 is formed with a fork III pivotally connected at II8 with an operating lever II9 operatively controlled for instance by a suitable and conventional cam (not shown) in a manner to reciprocate the carriage I08 on the rail I05 in properly timed relation to the associated elements.

The carriage I08 constitutes a movable support for a relatively fixed pressure member I20 and cooperating relatively movable pressure members I2I, all of which function in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter; as shown in Fig. 8, the pressure members I20 and I2I may be provided with pads or cushions I20 I2 I upon their respective active-faces, the exposed faces of said pads I20 and I2I preferably conforming to the surfaces of the articles 45 for which the pressure members I20 and I2I are designed. The pressure member I20 is mounted on the carriage I08 for instance by means of a screw I22, so as to be removable at will, and in the illustrated example is located between the pressure members I2I.

The latter are carried by arms I23 detachably fastened by means of screws I24 or the like, to

pivoted movements thereon, by a bridge I30 and nuts I3I.

The movable pressure members I2I may be relatively operated to effect the desired results. in any suitable manner, and preferably are operatively controlled by the mechanism shown in Figs. 7 and 8. In the illustrated example the sleeves I26 are provided with preferably integral levers I32 extending therefrom in directions away from the pressure members I2I. At their free ends the levers I32 are forked for pivotal connection at I33 with links I 34 which themselves are pivotally connected with each other and with a control rod I35 by means of pivot pin I36; the latter projects into and is guided in a groove I31 extending lengthwise of the carriage I08, for reasons which will appear hereinafter.

The control rod I 35 is slidably supported in the slide bracket I01 and is screwthreaded at its free end for the threaded accommodation of an abutment I38 fixed in an adjusted position on said rod I35 by means of a lock nut I39 or its equivalent. As shown in Figs. '7 and 8, the rod I35 extends loosely through the forked end I40 of an operating lever I4I pivoted at I42 and arranged to be rocked as indicated by the broken lines E and F in Fig. 8 by means of a suitable and conventional cam (not shown) to operate the rod I35 and its associated elements in the manner and for the purpose to be more fully set forth hereinafter. A coil spring I43 has its one end connected with the bridge I30, and its other end attached to a bracket I44 fixed upon the rod I35, and serves to normally maintain the toggle formed by the links I34 in a broken position in contact with an adjustable stop I45 on the carriage I08, to thereby swing the pressure members I2I in directions away from each other to nor-' mal inoperative positions outwardly beyond the bottle 45 or its equivalent, and to return said members I2I thereto.

The arrangement further includes means for locking the carriage I08 against movement toward the left in Figs. 7 and 8 during the operation of the pressure members I2I to apply pressure to the label a on the bottle 45 or its equivalent. In the illustrated example the aforesaid locking means comprises a locking bar I46 suit ably fixed on the carriage I08 for instance by means of screws I41 and cooperating with a stop member I48 to maintain said carriage I08 in its left hand operative position as shown in Fig. 7. The stop member I48, in the illustrated example, is carried by a lever I49 pivoted at I50 on the slide bracket I01 and yieldingly maintained in and returned to its operative position by a spring I5I; the latter has its one end connected with a lug I52 on the lever I49 and its other end fastened to a lug I53 on the supporting base 46.

Suitable releasing means is also provided operating in timed synchronism with the associated elements to pivotally actuate the lever I49 in a manner to shift the stop member I48 to an inoperative position relatively to the locking bar I46 to thereby release the carriage I08. In the example shown in Figs. 7 and 8 the aforesaid releasing means includes a releasing rod I54 slidably mounted in a bearing I55 on the supporting base 46 and-operated for instance by means of 70 a suitable and conventional cam (not shown). The rod I54 is provided with a releasing abutment which preferably is adjustable and is shown in the form of a screw I56 secured in an adjusted position on the rod I54 by means of a lock 76 nut II or the like. The screw I56 or its equivalent is arranged to engage a lug I58 projecting from the lever I48 and illustrated in Fig. 8, for the purpose of pivotally actuating said lever I49 against the tension of the spring I5I as will appear more fully hereinafter.

In order to arrest the movement of the carriage I 08 and the pressure members I20 and I2I as well as the associated elements to the left in Figs. 7 and 8, suitable arresting means may be provided. The latter, as shown in the illustrated example, may consist of a stationary stop I58 projecting from the'supporting base 46? in the path of a cooperating stop I60 adjustably mounted on a lug I6I on the carriage I08 and fixed in position thereon, for instance, by means of a lock nut I82.

The mechanism is shown in Figs. 7 and 8 at that stage of the operative cycle during which the pressure members I20 and I2I are functioning to develop pressure upon the label a whereby the latter is pressed into firm and even engagement with the bottle 45 or its equivalent, to complete the adhesive application of said label a thereto. When the pressing of the label a on the bottle 45, or its equivalent, has been completed, the operating lever MI is rocked to the position indicated by the broken line E in Fig. 7 to thereby permit the spring I 43 to correspondingly actuate the control rod I and break the toggle formed by the links I34 to the left in Fig. 8 and shift the pivotally connected ends thereof into contact with the stop I45 on the carriage I08. During these operations, the control rod I35 is slidably guided in. the guide bracket I01, and at the same time th e pivot pin I36 travels lengthwise of the groove I31 of the carriage I08 to prevent displacement of said rod I35 during the application of power thereby to break the toggle formed by the links I34. As this toggle is broken in the indicated manner, the levers I32 will be drawn toward each other to rock the sleeves I26 on the pivot pins I21 in a manner to inversely operate the arms I23 and swing the pressure members I2I away from each other and from the bottle 45, or its equivalent, to an inoperative spread position beyond the dimensional limits .thereof.

As the next step in the operative cycle, the releasing rod I54 is actuated to cause the releasing abutment I56 to exert an upward force on the lug I58whereby the lever I48 is pivotally swung in an upward direction to thereby shift its stop member I48 away from the locking bar I46 to an inoperative releasing position. It will be understood that the rod I54 is maintained in its raised position to correspondingly maintain the lever I49 and its stop member I48 in said inoperative releasing position against the tension of the spring I5I until the mechanism is again operated to the left as will be explained hereinafter.

When this stage has been reached, the operating lever I I9 is rocked from the position shown in Fig. 7 to the position indicated approximately by the broken line G in said figure. Pressure to the right is'thereby exerted on the operating rod II2 which is transmitted by the stop nut II6 to the swivel-head H0 and in turn to the lug I09; the carriage I08 accordingly is correspondingly shifted to the right along the rail I05. As a result of this shifting of the carriage I08, the pressure members I20 and I2I will be carried to the right in a direction away from the bottle 45 or its equivalent, and to a point beyond the predetermined path over which saidbottle 45 or its equivalent is transported by the support I3. At the same time the control rod I35 is slidably shifted in the slide bracket WI and in the forked end I of the operating lever I4I whereby the abutment I38 is correspondingly moved away from said forked end I40. While the parts remain in the aforesaid inoperative positions, the movable support I3 is actuated to carry the labeled bottle or its equivalent away from the pressure station, and at the same time to transport a succeeding bottle 45 or its equivalent to said station. Durof the movable support I3, the mechanism at ,the pressure station is operated in the following manner to cause the pressure members I20 and 'I2I to press a previously applied label 11 to said succeeding bottle 45 or its equivalent.

As the first step, the operatinglever H9 is actuated to rock it from the position indicated by the line G to the position illustrated in Fig. 7, and to thereby develop a pull upon the operating rod II2 which is communicated to the carriage- I 08 and accordingly shifts the latter on the rail I05 to the left in Figs. 7 and 8. This movement of the carriage I08 brings the pressure member I20 into engagement with the bottle 45, the movement #of the operating lever I I9 being continued somewhat beyond this point to compress the spring II 5 and thus cause the pressure member I20 to develop a yielding pressure on the bottle 45 whereby a portion of the label a is firmly and evenly pressed against said bottle 45 or its equivalent; as previously stated herein, suitable provision is made to maintain the latter in position during the application of pressure by the member I20. At the same time, the pressure members I2I in their inoperative spread condition are carried into operative relation to the bottle 45 or other article, and the stop member I 48, under the influence of the spring I5I or the lever I49, drops in front of the locking bar I46 and thereby locks the carriage I 08 against movement to the right in Figs. '7

and 8; it will be understood that the releasing and its associated parts to the left as described above, the control rod I35 slides in the same direction relatively to the slide bracket I0"! and forked end of the lever I4 I and accordingly shifts the abutment I38 into proximity to or even in engagement with the forked end I40 of the lever I4I which at this stage is in the position indicated by the line E.

As the next step in the operative cycle, the operating lever I is rocked from theposition indicated by the line E to the position on the line F illustrated in Fig. 7. A pull to the right is thereby developed on the control rod I35 against the tension of the spring I43 which pull is transmitted to the pivot'pin I33 and shifts the toggle formed by thelinks I34 to the position shown in Fig. 8; during these operations, the carriage I08 is locked againstmovement to the right by the locking bar I46 and stop member I48. y

As the links I 34 are thus shifted, the levers I32 will be swung on the pivots I21 in directions away from each other and accordingly will rock the sleeves I26 in a manner to inversely swing the arms I23 and bring the pressure members |2l into contact with the bottle or its equivalent. At this stage the pressure members l2l will develop a pressure upon said bottle 45 or the like to firmly and evenly press the remaining portions of the labels a against the same.

In proper operative synchronism the mechanism will be operated to restore the parts to their inoperative position in the manner described above, and the movable support 13 will be advanced another step to remove the completely labeled bottle 45 or the like from the pressing station and to transport another one thereto, whereupon the operative cycle is repeated.

While the mechanism shown in Figs. 7 and 8 is described as a means for performing operative steps subsequent to the application of a label to an article, said mechanism may itself constitute the means whereby the label is applied to the article, independently of any prior applying action by any other means, such as for instance that shown in Figs. 5 and 6. v

The novel machine in all of its forms is simple in construction and provides for the deposit of previously gummed labels upon carrying members in temporary adhesive connection therewith, whereby the gummed labels are efficiently supported in position for application to articles, and furthermore provides for the rapid and eflicient removal of the labels from said carrying members and their application to the articles for which said labels are designed. The machine is particularly adapted for handling labels of unusual dimensions, particularly small size labels, and for applying the same to articles of unusual size and shapes, and is of maximum efficiency in applying labels to cylindrical articles of small diameter and to articles having a cross-sectional form other than cylindrical. In all the forms of the machine the label is held by the aforesaid carrying members in position for application to an article, generally by the adhesive coating of such label while such coating isstill tacky, so as to be easily released from such carrying members, and applied to the article in a uniform and eflicient manner. Provision is also made, in the form of suitable heating means, for utilizing heat to maintain the adhesive coating of the label in a tacky condition and for thus facilitating the adhesive application of the label to said article.

The arrangement also provides novel and simple means for efficiently applying the labels to the articles, and for evenly and uniformly pressing the same thereon in cases where this may be necessary.

Various changes in the specific forms shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. The combination of a support for an article to be labeled, a pressure member for adhesively applying a predeterminedportion of a label to said article, and for maintaining said label against displacement relatively to said article, means whereby the remainder of said label is adhesively applied to said article while said label is subjected to the action of said pressure member, mechanism for operating said pressure member, and independent mechanism for operating said means to develops an applying action on said remainder of the label.

2. The combination of a support for an article to be labeled, a pressure member for adhesively applying a predetermined portion of a label .to said article, and for maintaining said label against displacement relatively to said article, resiliently controlled applying members arranged to follow the surface contour of said article to adhesively apply the remainder of said label thereto while said label is subjected .to the action of said pressure member, mechanism for operating said pressure members, and independent means for actuating said applying members relatively to said article.

3. The combination of a support for an article to be labeled, a pressure device, means for operating said pressure device to adhesively. apply a predetermined portion of a label to said article and to maintain said label against displacement thereon, a pair of cooperating applying members, means controlled by said pressure device whereby said applying members are adjusted relatively to each other to and from operative relation to said article and .vice versa, and means whereby said applying members are actuated and caused to follow the surface contour of said article to adhesively apply the remainder of said label thereto while said label is subjected to the action of said pressure device.

4. In a labeling machine for applying adhesive coated labels, the combination of a table, a seat on said table for supporting an article in label receiving position, secondary supporting means including a pair of supporting members on said table located upon opposite'sides of said seat for supporting a label in position for application to said article, said label having its opposite ends in temporary adhesive connection with said supporting members for maintaining said label in said position, primary supporting means for carrying said label during application of adhesive thereto and for subsequently transferring said label to a position for adhesive engagement with said secondary supporting means, and means for releasing said label from the supporting members of said secondary supporting means and for applying it to said article.

5. In a labeling machine for applying adhesive coated labels, the combination of a table provided with an opening, means on said table for supporting an article to be labeled in registry with said opening, secondary supporting means including a pair of supporting members mounted upon said table in spaced relation .to each other upon opposite sides of said article supporting means, one of said supporting members being closer to the article supporting means than the other, said supporting members being adapted to support a label in position for application to an article on said article supporting means, the opposite ends of said label being in temporary adhesive connection with said supporting members for maintaining said label in said position, primary supporting means for carrying said label during application of adhesive thereto and for subsequently transferring said label to a position for adhesive engagement with said secondary supporting means, wrapping means arranged to release saldlabel from the supporting members of said secondary supporting means and partially apply it to said article, and additional wrapping means movable in the opening of said table for completing the application of the label to said article.

6. The combination of a support for an article to be labeled, a pressure device, means for operating said pressure device to adhesively apply a predetermined portion of a label to said article and iii to maintain said label against displacement thereon, a pair of cooperating members, and mechanism operating independent of said pressure device operating means for actuating said co-operating members to complete the adhesive application of the label to said article.

7. The combination of a support for an article to be labeled, a supporting base, cam members pivotally mounted on said base and provided with inner and outer cam surfaces, guide brackets projecting from said base in spaced registry with each other, a main slide member slidable in said guide brackets, a pressure member carried by said main slide member, an operating roller mounted on said main slide member in rolling engagement with the inner cam surfaces of said cam members, a secondary slide member slidable in said guide brackets in spaced parallel relation to said main slide member, a supporting bracket carried by said secondary slide member, label applying members pivotally mounted on said supporting bracket, label applying devices at the free ends of said label applying members, controlling rollers adjustably supported on said label applying members in rolling engagement with the outer cam surfaces of said cam members, a spring connecting said label applying members for yieldingly maintaining said rollers in engagement with said outer cam surfaces, means for reciprocating said main slide member in said guide brackets to shift said pressure member toward said article to adhesively apply a predetermined portion of a label thereto and to maintain said label against displacement on said article, and subsequently to move said pressure member away from said article, said operating roller in cooperation with said inner cam surfaces pivotally actuating said cam members during the reciprocation of said main slide member to pivotally adjust said label applying members toward and away from each other, and

means for reciprocating said secondary slide,

member in timed relation with said main slide member to shift said controlling roller along said outer cam surfaces and to cause said label applying devices to follow the surface contour of said article and thereby adhesively apply the remainder of said label thereto and to return said label applying members to an inoperative position, said operating roller in cooperation with said inner cam surfaces pivotally actuating said cam members to pivotally adjust said label applying members away from each other to thereby shift said label applying devices away from said article prior to the return of said label applying members to their inoperative positions by said secondary slide.

8. The combination of a support for an article to be labeled, a supporting base, cam members pivotally mounted on said base, spaced guide brackets projecting from said base, a main slide member slidable in said guide brackets, a pressure member carried by said main slide member, a

secondary slide member slidable in said guide brackets in spaced parallel relation to said main slide member, spring controlled label applying means pivotally mounted on said secondary slide member, means for reciprocating said main slide member to shift said pressure member toward said article to adhesively apply a predetermined portion of a label thereto and to maintain said label against displacement on said article, means for reciprocating said secondary slide member to shift said label applying means toward and away from said article, and means on said main slide member cooperating with said cam members to adjust said label applying means into and out of applying relation to said article whereby said label applying means is caused to follow the surface contour of said article to adhesively apply the remainder of the label thereto.

9. The combination of a support for an article to be labeled, a supporting base, a pair of slide members slidablymounted on said base, a pressure member carried by one of said slide members, label applying means pivotally mounted on the other slide member, operating means for reciprocating said one of said slide members, actuating means for reciprocating said other slide member in timed relation thereto, and means operated by said one of said slide members to operatively adjust said label applying means on said other slide member, said operating means actuating said one of said slide members in an'operative movement to shift said pressure member toward said article to adhesively apply a predetermined portion of a label thereto and to maintain said label against displacement on said article, and to coincidentally adjust said label applying means into applying relation to said article, said actuating means subsequently operating said other slide to cause said label applying means to adhesively apply the remainder of said label to said article, said operating means subsequently actuating said one of said slide members in a return movement to shift said pressure member away from said article and to coincidentally adjust said label applying means out of applying relation to said article, and said actuating means subsequentlyv operating said other slide members in a return movement to restore said label applying means to its initial inoperative position. 10. The combination of a support for an article to be labeled, pressure means for adhesively applying a predetermined portion of a label to said article and for maintaining said label against displacement thereon, label applying means for subsequently adhesively applying the remainder of said label to said article, and means operatively controlled by said pressure means to adjust said label applying means into and out of applying relation to said article.

11. The combination of a support for a previously labeled article, a supporting base, a guide rail fixed on said base, a carriage slidable on said rail, a relatively fixed pressure member on said carriage, cooperating relatively movable pressure members pivotally mounted on said carriage, levers pivotally movable with said cooperating pressure members, a control rod, links pivotally connected with said levers and with each other and with said control rod, a spring connected with the latter whereby said links are operated to normally break the toggle formed by said links whereby said levers are actuated to normally maintain the cooperating pressure members in outwardly spread inoperative relation to each other, a stop on said carriage'cooperating with said links to arrest the outward movements of said cooperating pressure members, means for moving said carriage on said rail to 'shift said relatively fixed pressure member into engagement with said labeled article to develop pressure on a portion of the label thereon, said means coincidentally shifting said cooperating pressure members into operative relation to said article, releasable means for locking said carriage against return movement when said relatively fixed pressure member is in engagement with the labeled article, means for operating said control rod to actuate said links and levers in a direction to swing said cooperating pressure members into engagement with said labeled article to develop pressure upon the remainder of the label thereon, and means for operating said releasable locking means to release said carriage and thereby permit the latter with its associated elements to be returned to an inoperative position.

12. The combination of a support for a previously labeled article, a supporting base, a guide rail fixed on said base, a carriage slidable on said rail, a relatively fixed pressure member on said carriage, cooperating I relatively movable pressure members pivotally mounted on said carriage, means for moving said carriage on said rail to shift said relatively fixed pressure member into engagement with said labeled article to develop pressure on a portion of the label thereon, said means coincidentally shifting said cooperating pressure members into operative relation to said labeled article, releasable means for locking said carriage against return movement when said relatively fixed pressure member is in engagement with the labeled article, and means for swinging said cooperating pressure members into engagement with said labeled article to develop pressure upon the remainder of the label thereon.

13. The combination of a support for a previously labeled article, a supporting base, a guide rail fixed on said base, a carriage slidable on said rail, a relatively fixed pressure member on said carriage, cooperating relatively movable pressure members pivotally mounted on said carriage, and normally diverging relatively to each other from the respective pivots, means for moving said carriage on said rail to shift said relatively fixed pressure member into engagement with said labeled article, and to coincidentally shift said cooperating pressure members into operative relation to said labeled article upon opposite sides thereof, and means for swinging said cooperating pressure members toward each other into engagement with the labeled article, said pressure members all cooperating to firmly and uniformly press the label into engagement with said article.

14. The combination of a support for a previously labeled article, a supporting base, a guide rail fixed on said base, a carriage slidable on said rail, pressure means on said carriage, means for reciprocating said carriage on said rail to shift said pressure means into operative relation to the labeled article, locking means for locking said carriage against return movement on said rail, means for operating said pressure means in the locked position of said carriage to develop pressure on the labeled article whereby the label is firmly and uniformly pressed thereon, and means operative after the finish of the pressing operation to release said locking means to thereby permit said carriage with its associated elements to be returned to an inoperative position.

15. The combination of a support for a previously labeled article, pressure means comprising relatively movable pressure members and a relatively fixed pressure member, means for shifting said relatively fixed pressure member into engagement with said labeled article to develop pressure thereon and for coincidentally shifting said relatively movable pressure members into operative relation to said labeled article, and means for operating said relatively movable pressure members to develop pressure on said labeled article, said pressure members all cooperating to press the label firmly and uniformly on said article.

16. The combination of a support for an article to be labeled, movable carrying means, a pressure member carried by and movable with said carrying means, pivoted members carried by and movable with said carrying means and movable relatively thereto in directions toward and away from each other, label engaging devices carried by said pivoted members, and operating means including mechanism for operating said carrying means to bring said pressure member into engagement with said article and independent mechanism for actuating the said pivoted members and the label engaging devices thereof into operative relation to said article, said operating means operating subsequently to return said carrying means and associated elements to an inoperative position beyond said article support.

1'7. The combination of a support for an article to be labeled, reciprocable means movable toward and away from said support, and including a pressure member and label engaging devices movable toward and away from each other, and means including mechanism for operating said reciprocable means to shift said pressure memher into engagement with said article, and independent mechanism for adjusting the label engaging devices into operative relation with said article upon opposite sides thereof, said operating means subsequently moving said reciprocable means in a return direction to shift said pressure member and label engaging devices to an inoperative position beyond said article support.

18. In a labeling machine for applying adhesive coated labels, means for supporting a label in applying position, and heating means combined with said supporting means whereby the adhesive coating of the label on said supporting means is heated.

GEORGE W. von HOFE. 

